In a moment that will be etched into hockey history forever, Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin fired a signature power-play laser from his iconic office on the left circle, beating New York Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin to score his record-breaking 895th NHL goal. With that shot, Ovechkin officially passed Wayne Gretzky—long considered untouchable—as the league’s all-time leading goal scorer.
Ovechkin, 39, delivered the milestone goal in true Ovi fashion: a no-nonsense, no-frills slap shot from the place that’s made him the most feared shooter in the game. Though the Capitals lost the game 4-1, the arena was nothing short of electric as fans erupted in chants of “Ovi! Ovi!” and teammates poured onto the ice in celebration.
“I’m really proud for myself, for my family, for my teammates, for my coaches—it’s an unbelievable moment,” Ovechkin said, acknowledging the weight of an achievement few believed possible in the modern NHL era.
What makes this feat even more impressive is how Ovechkin has gone about it—through consistency, toughness, and an old-school work ethic that rarely gets the credit it deserves. He’s not a finesse player; he’s a physical power forward who has refused to let age or critics slow him down.
Fittingly, the goal came against Sorokin, a fellow Russian and the 183rd goaltender Ovechkin has scored on in his career. After the game, Sorokin handed over his stick—signed and marked “895!”—in a sign of respect. Ovechkin responded with humor: “Thank you to Sorokin to let me score 895. I love you, brother.”
Following the goal, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman led a special ceremony recognizing the historic accomplishment, telling fans, “Wayne, you’ll always be the ‘Great One,’ but Alex—you did it.”
The celebration was complete with a handshake line from the Islanders, emotional hugs from longtime teammates and staff, and even a portrait of Ovechkin alongside Gretzky. In a moment that mirrored the past, Janet Gretzky presented a gift to Ovechkin’s wife, just as Colleen Howe had done for her in 1994 when Wayne broke Gordie Howe’s record.
Ovechkin reached the 895-goal mark in exactly 1,487 games—the same number Gretzky played. The symmetry was perfect, the moment historic.
As for what’s next, Ovechkin stayed grounded. “I’ll need a couple weeks to really process this,” he admitted. But fans and fellow players alike already know: Alex Ovechkin, the “Great 8,” has cemented himself not just as a franchise cornerstone, but as one of the greatest to ever play the game.
In an era dominated by hot takes and fleeting stardom, Ovechkin’s rise is a testament to longevity, dedication, and sheer will—qualities that never go out of style.
